x

Willie to Tighten Up - Ipswich Town News

Assistant boss Willie Donachie says he is determined to tighten up Town's defence next season. The Blues have conceded 64 goals so far during 2005/06.

Donachie says the goals-against column is something which has long needed improving but he feels the club's attacking traditions don't lend themselves to developing a mean backline: "The amount of goals we have conceded has always been a problem and has concerned me every season.

"It is part of the philosophy of the club to concentrate on playing football and attacking. Defending has never been a priority here and that has always worried me but sometimes you have to go along with the philosophy of the club.

"You can't go to Spurs and expect them to play like Wimbledon. Ipswich has traditions, which I can't change, but I would like to add defensive strengths and a more resolute attitude as well as playing football. It has been difficult and my aim next year is to develop a much more resolute defensive attitude.

The problem stems from both personnel and the way the team is set up. Last year we were built on scoring goals but ultimately you have to be set up defensively.

"The mentality here has always been Ipswich are a good footballing team and are less bothered with the basics of the game, which are vital.”

Town are looking to sign a central defender in his early 20s over the summer, while they could also target a more defensive midfielder with Kevin Horlock, Jim Magilton and perhaps Jimmy Juan all leaving Portman Road in the summer.

What to read next:

U18 Premier League Cup Group Drawn
Town’s U18s have been grouped with Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and West Ham United in Group E of the U18 Premier League Cup.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Rutherford Joins Pompey
Former Ipswich Town Women’s attacking midfielder Ella Rutherford has joined fellow WSL2 side Portsmouth.
[Podcast] The Naked Football Show - Listen Again
This week's Naked Football Show is now available online.
Muric's Serie A Loan Confirmed
Town keeper Aro Muric’s loan move to Serie A new boys Sassuolo has been confirmed.
Woodman: An Amazing Result
Bromley boss Andy Woodman hailed his side’s on-penalties victory over the Blues in round one of the Carabao Cup at Hayes Lane as “an amazing result” and one the League Two club shouldn’t underestimate.
Bromley 1-1 Ipswich Town (5-4 on Pens) - Highlights
Highlights of last night’s on-penalties Carabao Cup defeat at Bromley.
McKenna: I've Got One Or Two Roles in Mind For Akpom to Play More Often
Town manager Kieran McKenna has a couple of roles in mind for new signing Chuba Akpom to play more regularly, but says the 29-year-old, who joined on a season-long loan from Ajax on Sunday, is capable of operating in a wide variety of forward positions.
McKenna: Young Duo Continued How They've Been All Summer
Blues boss Kieran McKenna was pleased with young midfield duo Cameron Humphreys and Fin Barbrook, despite Town’s on-penalties Carabao Cup first round defeat at Bromley.
McKenna: We'll Review Our Process Around Shootouts
Boss Kieran McKenna says Town’s process around penalty shootouts will be reviewed, the Blues having exited three cup competitions on spot-kicks over the last year, this evening’s Carabao Cup first-round loss at League Two Bromley the latest.